UTTAR PRADESH: A tragic fire at a hospital in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, claimed the lives of 10 newborns late last night, while 16 other children are currently fighting for their lives. The fire broke out around 10:45 PM in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College. District Magistrate Avinash Kumar confirmed the casualties and the ongoing rescue efforts.
The cause of the fire is suspected to be a short circuit inside an oxygen concentrator, said Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak. At the time of the incident, 54 children were receiving care in the NICU. Swift action from hospital staff allowed the rescue of 44 infants, but unfortunately, 10 could not be saved. Seven of the deceased newborns have been identified, while DNA testing might be necessary to confirm the identities of the remaining three.
The government has announced financial assistance to support the affected families. Meanwhile, visuals from the scene showed distraught parents and damaged medical equipment. A grieving mother shared that she could not locate her baby after the incident and later learned that the child had died.
Efforts are underway to save the injured infants. Senior Superintendent of Police Sudha Singh said that the 16 affected children are being treated at local hospitals with all necessary medical support available.
Concerns have been raised over the hospital's emergency preparedness. There are allegations that the fire alarms did not activate, potentially due to poor maintenance. Deputy Chief Minister Pathak mentioned that the hospital had undergone a fire safety audit in February and a mock drill in June. He emphasized that the reasons for the fire would be clear once a thorough investigation is completed.
The investigation into the incident will be conducted at three levels: by the health department, the police, and through a magisterial inquiry. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed senior officials to prioritize rescue operations and deployed additional fire-fighting vehicles. He has also announced Rs. 5 lakh compensation for the families of those who died, and Rs. 50,000 for those who sustained serious injuries. A detailed report from the Divisional Commissioner and the Deputy Inspector General of Jhansi is expected within 12 hours.
President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have expressed their deep sorrow over the incident. The President extended condolences to the grieving families and wished a swift recovery for the injured. Prime Minister Modi described the incident as "heartbreaking" and announced Rs. 2 lakh in compensation from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund for the families of the victims, along with Rs. 50,000 for the injured.
The tragic fire has also drawn criticism from the opposition, with accusations of negligence against the hospital administration. Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav has called for accountability and strict action against those responsible for the tragedy.
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